Aldermen upset over sex convention at city venue

Residents and officials of a southwestern Illinois city are mad because they were not given more notice that a sex convention was headed their way.

By Associated Press

Journal Standard

By Associated Press

Posted Mar. 27, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 27, 2011 at 3:12 PM

By Associated Press

Posted Mar. 27, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 27, 2011 at 3:12 PM

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill.

Residents and officials of a southwestern Illinois city are mad because they were not given more notice that a sex convention was headed their way.

At least two dozen Fairview Heights residents gathered at a public meeting Thursday to complain that they were not consulted before the "Beat Me in St. Louis" convention was booked at the city-owned Fountains at Fairview Conference Center, which is attached to an adjacent Four Points by Sheraton Hotel.

The three-day convention, which was advertised as a private event that had its windows covered, included water torture and bondage sessions, The

Law enforcement officials said they provided extra patrol in the area during the event and no incidents were reported.

Some city aldermen blamed Mayor Gail Mitchell, who is seeking re-election in April. A flier distributed by an alderman said he allowed a secret "porn convention" to taint the city's image.

Mitchell said he was notified about the convention on the day of the event and could not have prevented it.

City Administrator Drew Awsumb said in a statement that a leasing contract with the conference center clears the venue from having to notify the city about the nature of its events. The hotel pays $1 annually to lease the building over 20 years.

Several residents expressed their support for changing the leasing contract or enacting a new ordinance that allows more public transparency. Awsumb said city officials plan to discuss options about renegotiating a contract that requires advanced notice of events.